Trick shot video lands NFL trial

A 28-year-old Norwegian is on his way to the United States for a dream trial with an NFL team after a trick shot video he made with friends went viral on YouTube.

Havard Rugland, who admits to only a passing knowledge of American football, was emailed out of the blue by the New York Jets after assistant general manager Scott Cohen saw the footage.

The video, called Kickalicious, begins with Rugland showcasing his booming left leg by hitting field goals from as far as 60 yards out. The keen soccer enthusiast then digs into his stunt repertoire, hitting receivers by foot across lakes, up sand dunes and even in a passing car.

Cohen was so impressed he invited Rugland to spend a week with kicking coach Michael Husted in San Diego in November. Husted, a former NFL kicker himself, says Rugland is easily the most impressive non-football kicker he has worked with.

"When he hits it, it's going to go. He hits it just as high, just as far as a lot of the NFL kickers, if not further," he told the Associated Press.

While his technique was still raw, the Jets were pleased enough with Husted's assessment to invite Rugland for a trial in March. In the meantime, the youth counsellor will hone his skills over the Scandinavian winter.

If the Jets end up passing, Rugland could still find himself on an NFL roster. Husted says the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and the Green Back Packers have also requested scouting reports.

While the Norwegian is hopeful of making it onto a practice squad for the 2013 season, current NFL players remain unconvinced by his prospects.

New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford agreed, saying: "There's a different dynamic when you have a video camera and 1000 chances versus when there's 80,000 people screaming at you (at a game) and you only have one shot."

Watch the trick shot video, Kickalicious, below:

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